Fabio Capello’s England future looks good as FA backing firms up

Fabio Capello’s position as England manager has been further strengthened after Football Association board member
David Sheepshanks voiced support for the Italian.

Fabio Capello may still continue as England manager despite a woeful World Cup campaign

Capello’s position is under review following England’s disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa, with the FA board likely to meet next week with Sir Dave Richards , the Premier League chairman who also heads the new ‘Club England’ set-up, seeking opinions on the matter.

Board member Phil Gartside , also chairman of Bolton, and Sir Trevor Brooking , the FA’s director of football development, have already backed Capello, and with Sheepshanks joining their ranks the Italian’s tenure looks increasingly secure.

‘Knee-jerk reactions never work best – let’s get this right,’ said former Ipswich chairman Sheepshanks.

‘Fabio is tremendously able – one of the world’s best managers – and a month ago I don’t think you’d have heard many people disagree with that. He does not become a bad manager overnight.’

Meanwhile, Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor claims the FA will end up with ‘egg on their face’ if they decide to sack Capello, due to the pre-World Cup decision to remove a break clause in the 64-year-old’s contract, which runs until 2012.

‘It seems ridiculous to do this contract negotiation and then to now be talking about sacking him,’ said Taylor, who also called for a committee of inquiry to be set up to look into the state of English football.